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Starting your career as a new therapist can feel like learning to swim while already in the deep end. You’re holding onto your grad school lessons like a life raft, relying on supervision like a lifeline, all while a little voice in your head (hello, imposter syndrome) keeps telling you the other swimmers have it all figured out.

But here’s the twist: you’re already swimming better than you think.

In fact, research shows that new therapists are just as effective as their seasoned counterparts—and sometimes, even more so. So, let’s unpack why those of you fresh out of grad school are uniquely positioned to make waves (pun intended).

The Research: Do Therapists Improve with Experience?

A longitudinal study published in Psychotherapy by Goldberg et al. (2016) tracked over 6,500 clients seen by 170 therapists for an average of nearly five years. Here’s what the researchers discovered:

1. Effectiveness Doesn’t Always Improve with Time: Therapists achieved solid outcomes across the board, but there was a small, statistically significant decline in client improvement as therapists gained more experience.

2. Retention Improves with Experience: Therapists with more years under their belts were better at keeping clients in therapy, showing that some skills (like client retention) improve over time.

3. Not Everyone Follows the Same Path: While the overall trend showed slightly diminished outcomes with time, some therapists bucked the trend and got better with experience—proof that growth isn’t one-size-fits-all.

The takeaway? New therapists, when following evidence-based practices and leaning on supervision, achieve outcomes just as impressive as those of veteran clinicians.

Why New Therapists Are Making Waves

1️⃣ You’re Fresh Off the Starting Line

Think of your graduate training like a brand-new car rolling off the assembly line. It’s shiny, it’s equipped with all the latest technology, and it’s ready to hit the road. New therapists bring up-to-date knowledge and cutting-edge tools into their sessions, which translates to meaningful results for clients.

2️⃣ Imposter Syndrome Makes You Focused (to a Point)

While imposter syndrome might make you feel like you’re treading water, it often drives new therapists to work harder, prepare more, and focus deeply on their clients. This hyper-focus can lead to stronger therapeutic alliances, which decades of research highlight as a key driver of client success.

3️⃣ You Have a Built-In Safety Net

Supervision is your North Star. As a new therapist, you’re not just figuring things out alone. You have an experienced guide reviewing your work, helping you reflect, and steering you in the right direction. That layer of accountability is a secret weapon that makes your work even stronger.

Imposter Syndrome: The Uninvited Guest

Imposter syndrome is like an uninvited guest at your professional party—always whispering doubts in your ear while you’re trying to celebrate your wins.

Here’s the good news: It’s normal, and it won’t stay forever. In the meantime, trust in your training and remember that perfection isn’t the goal—authenticity and effort are.

A Message for Supervisors

To my fellow supervisors: Supporting new therapists is like helping them build a plane while flying it. They’re doing amazing work, but they need us to remind them they’re soaring. Let’s celebrate their fresh perspectives, innovative approaches, and the unique strengths they bring to the field.

To all the new therapists out there: You’re doing better than you think. Your clients see your compassion, your dedication, and the effort you pour into every session. And guess what? The research backs you up.

You’re not just keeping your head above water—you’re creating ripples of change that will carry far beyond what you can see right now.

So, grab that metaphorical surfboard and keep riding the waves. The sea may be rough at times, but you’re built for it.

Reference:

Goldberg, S. B., Rousmaniere, T., Miller, S. D., Whipple, J., Nielsen, S. L., Hoyt, W. T., … & Wampold, B. E. (2016). Do psychotherapists improve with time and experience? A longitudinal analysis of outcomes in a clinical setting. Psychotherapy, 53(3), 373–383. Link to study

Disclaimer: The views discussed in this platform do not resemble that of the department of defense.